The Design of Automatic Sprinkler based on Arduino Uno Microcontroller

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to design a microcontroller based automatic plant watering system. The method used was an experimental method using two sensors, i.e. soil moisture sensor (measure soil moisture) and ultrasonic sensors (measure the distance of rotary direction regulator for DC motors). Arduino board is preferable as the main controller due to its simplicity. Tool testing was conducted through trials on soil samples and performance tests when the tool was operating. The parameters observed were solar intensity (Lux), ambient temperature (°C), RH (%), water discharge (ml/s), DC motor axis rotation (rpm), AC and DC voltage (Volt), and soil moisture (%). The tool testing showed that the designed watering system could works properly with less than 10% MAPE. When the sensor read the soil moisture value below 70% setting point, the pump and DC motor were turned on. Whereas, when the soil moisture value achieved 80% setting point, the pump and DC motor were turned off. Performance test was conducted for three days of observation. The founding shows that the designed automatic watering system could successfully provide as much as 2.52 litre of water during approximately 6 minutes of watering period.